Highest Unemployment in Namibia

Top 42 cities ranked by highest unemployment

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · Namibia

Highest Unemployment — Namibia

1 Okahandja 39 19.3%

2 Mariental 30 19.3%

3 Lüderitz 31 19.3%

4 Ndiyona 40 19.3%

5 Katutura 21 19.3%

6 Gobabis 35 19.3%

7 Tsumeb 38 19.3%

8 Helao Nafidi 33 19.3%

9 Keetmanshoop 31 19.3%

10 Ongwediva 37 19.3%

11 Grootfontein 39 19.3%

12 Khorixas 32 19.3%

13 Ondangwa 37 19.3%

14 Otjiwarongo 39 19.3%

15 Katima Mulilo 28 19.3%

16 Rehoboth 30 19.3%

17 Oshakati 37 19.3%

18 Swakopmund 29 19.3%

19 Walvis Bay 29 19.3%

20 Rundu 40 19.3%

21 Windhoek 21 19.3%

22 Karibib 29 19.3%

23 Okakarara 39 19.3%

24 Henties Bay 29 19.3%

25 Ondangwa East 38 19.3%

26 Osire 39 19.3%

27 Karasburg 31 19.3%

28 Arandis 29 19.3%

29 Otavi 39 19.3%

30 Rosh Pinah 31 19.3%

31 Eenhana 33 19.3%

32 Warmbad 31 19.3%

33 Aussenkehr 31 19.3%

34 Okahao 36 19.3%

35 Outapi 36 19.3%

36 Otjimbingwe 29 19.3%

37 Oranjemund 31 19.3%

38 Opuwo 32 19.3%

39 Usakos 29 19.3%

40 Outjo 32 19.3%

41 Bethanie 31 19.3%

42 Omaruru 29 19.3%

Cities with the highest unemployment rates in Namibia face significant economic challenges. Okahandja has an unemployment rate of 19.3%. These communities often struggle with limited job opportunities, industry decline, or seasonal employment patterns.

High unemployment can have cascading effects on a community, including reduced consumer spending, lower tax revenues, and increased demand for social services. Understanding the causes — whether structural, cyclical, or seasonal — is important for developing effective solutions.

Many cities with high unemployment are actively working to diversify their economies, attract new industries, and invest in workforce development programs to help residents gain skills for in-demand occupations.

Did You Know?

1. In Okahandja, about 1 in 5 workers is looking for a job.
2. Seasonal economies (tourism, agriculture) can cause unemployment rates to fluctuate dramatically throughout the year.
3. Many high-unemployment cities have seen improvement through targeted economic development and workforce training programs.

Browse Rankings by Region

Namibia — By Region

Erongo Region Karas Region Otjozondjupa Region

By Country

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Angola Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bangladesh Belarus Belgium Benin Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Estonia Ethiopia Finland France Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Guadeloupe Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Mali Malta Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Moldova Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nepal New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway Oman Pakistan Palestinian Territory Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Republic of the Congo Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand The Netherlands Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe